South African innovator in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, IoT.nxt has been trying to find its place in the global IoT space and CEO Nico Steyn says the company will remain proudly South African but “we are going to take our innovation to the world”.

Once an unknown business, it made headlines by getting R100 million from its dedicated investor and funding partner Talent Holdings, an investment holding company that has a philosophy based on partnering management, not dictating to them.

The investment firm – which is chaired by erstwhile CEO of Exxaro Resources, Sipho Nkosi – has done exactly that with its investment in IoT.nxt.

Fittingly enough, Talent Holdings had put money into IoT.nxt, and is seeing firsthand how giving management space to operate without interference could yield results.

What has the R100 million investment by Talent Holdings done so far for IoT.nxt?

The Centurion-based start-up is slowly morphing into a global player through its IoT device known as the Raptor, which allows for the migration of analogue devices and inputs into a digital platform, serving as a filter for big data and delivering cost savings and efficiencies to the client’s IoT ecosystem.

The company will use Raptor in a box solution to provide companies with the ability to scale quickly as the Dell Raptor is already configured to be rolled out, yet comes with the support of Dell’s global network which offers warranties and superior service.

The IoT in a box will be distributed by Axiz, an industry leading value added distribution business that serves eight countries in Southern and East Africa.

IoT.nxt believes that the association with the trusted international Dell brand is likely to drive rapid adoption as companies know that their implementation will be supported by the vast and established Dell support offering.

IoT.nxt and its partner Talent Holdings are ready to take on the world and flex its muscles through the Raptor in the box globally.

Herewith below highlights:

IoT.nxt, has entered into a partnership with listed Dutch company ICT Group N.V.

The IoT innovator said this is part of its ongoing expansion into Europe, as demand for IoT applications and digitization grows in this vast market.

IoT.nxt has engaged several companies since opening its first office outside South Africa in The Hague last year, seeking appropriate partners to help drive its entry into Europe.

“IoT.nxt’s hardware and software solutions in combination with ICT’s domain expertise in different industry verticals as well as the expert knowledge of Cloud, Machine Learning, BI and IoT, will enable us – through this partnership – to completely shape the digital transformation journey of customers,” says Steyn.

Steyn and IoT.nxt Chairman Wayne Fitzjohn visited several large companies in the States to explore possibilities, and they have reported that the feedback has been tremendous and validates the value of IoT.nxt’s offering.

IoT.nxt achieved Microsoft Gold Partner status for data platform this month, less than a year since the company was recognised as a Silver Partner last year.

The company joins 68 other Gold Partners for data platform in South Africa and is now in the select company of 568 Gold Partners for all competencies in the country.

To be considered for this competency companies must certify their application to harness the power of Microsoft SQL Server as well as implement their applications at a minimum of five verifiable customers.

The size of the IoT market being pursued by IoT.nxt

Simply put, this is the concept of basically connecting any device with an on and off switch to the Internet (and/or to each other). This includes everything from cellphones, coffee makers, washing machines, headphones, lamps, wearable devices and almost anything else you can think of. This also applies to components of machines, for example a jet engine of an airplane or the drill of an oil rig.

The IoT solutions are created to solve a very specific, known problem.

With a dedicated investor and a commitment to see a proudly South African firm conquer the world, IoT.nxt seems destined for greater things in the Internet of Everything market.